Our Kath (aka Zippy, Zee, Mama Zip) took flight to other realms on Tuesday afternoon. A perfect day for her to choose, December 1, 2020 a fresh layer of snow covering everything in sight and the start of her favourite time of year. A wonderful Mom to Karly and Katelyn, loving partner to Vi, forever the big sister to Becky and aunt to Danny & Bobby, raised in Dundas by, and daughter to, proud parents Sheryl & Lyle Fairfield. Also known as the Terraware maven, the designer of luxury clothing for her wide reaching and eco-minded customers. She will be loved and hugely missed by so many friends, family and community members. Such a charismatic, generous hearted and social being who loved her people, and spending time with them. A mentor to some, a place of safety for many, always ready to discuss, debate, drink wine and laugh! When the snow has melted and the flowers are blooming there will be a chance to come together to celebrate Kath’s life in the way she would want it to be. Donations to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada in Kath’s honour very much appreciated. Please sign Kath’s on line Book of Condolence at www.turnerfamilyfuneralhome.ca
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A beautiful person inside and out, your smile and laugh will always be in my heart. Love you
My heart aches for all of you. May happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time. A tragedy for all who knew our Kath. She always had time for everyone.
Kathy was an angel on earth. ❤️ Love and light to all who are grieving this loss.
46 years of friendship, and through all of it, it will be your laugh that rings in my head and your warmth that lives in my heart. I miss you Kath. My deep condolences to your family and the many friends who will miss you forever. Your many kindnesses will resonate for all of us. Love SuzieQ
A most generous and beautiful person. Kath and I became instant friends as she shared the story of Terraware with me just after I had moved to Hamilton. A loss for her family and for the Dundas community. Love you Kath and I am going to miss you.
My heart is breaking for all those close to Kathie.
I knew her when myself and the executive of Lynden Preschool hired her as our teacher. She was so full of life and loved our children so much. We moms had fun times with Miss Kathie as well. Her beautiful smile, long , lovely hair and her sporty red car she was driving at that time made quite the impression on us all.
Bless you !
Kate, I’m heartbroken over your loss. She was an amazing lady who I absolutely adored. She changed my life really. So honoured to have been considered a friend. Sending all my love to you, your sister, your family and fur babies. I will never forget this beautiful soul. Rest east Kath, simply unforgettable!
A big loss to her family and friends and to the Dundas Community. I have many memories of visits to her Terraware store. Always so upbeat. Condolences to all her family and friends.
Kath was a wonderfully warm hearted person. It was a privilege to know her: it was only for a few short years for me but she always welcomed people with a sunny smile like they had been her friends forever.
Wishing peace and comfort to all who grieve her passing.
I’ve known Kathy since we were kids in the 60’s growing up one street apart. This is a loss not only for Dundas but for mankind as a whole. I had the honour and pleasure of briefly visiting her at her store on King Street in Dundas a few years back with my Granddaughter Jennifer. My heart aches for her family and friends, she will be missed. RIP Kath, God bless and God speed. You will forever be in our hearts.
I can’t find the words to describe the sense of loss Kath has left behind. The hole in our hearts is deep, a testament to how she filled a space – fully and completely. My deepest condolences to Kate, Karly, Vi and all Kath’s family. The world was a better place with her in it; let’s do our best to uphold her legacy of love for everyone and kindness for all. Always a frister. Always a friend.
With love from Beth Baby xoxo
What a loss to the Dundas community! Deepest sympathies and condolences to the family as well as those who knew Kathryn.
Miss you already: your creativity, enthusiasm and off course caring. A great stylist for this eco minded customer.
I am so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. My thoughts are with all of you at this time of such great loss.
Lyle and family, very sorry for your loss. I’m sure she will be missed by all. Lily and Nelson
I meet Kathy only once along with my Kathryn, my Laurie and Becky.
She was five years old and her star shone brightly even then.
My deep condolences on the loss of such an amazingly talented and loving lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.
I have such vivid memories of dear Kath: wildly creative and kind, bossy and big hearted, fiercely smart and principled, generous to a fault. And I suddenly realize that I much prefer reminiscing with a loved one over remembering on my own. Like grade 6, when we wrote (and as Kath would say, “and directed and starred in!”) a play about the absurdity of inter-family feuds over skin colour.
Slowly I am beginning to believe that she won’t be there, smiling and yelling “Hey, Rum!” to my “Hey, Fairfield!” as we hug, update our lives, and discuss how we are going to save the world. No, but really, ‘how’ and not ‘whether’. As those who know her, Kathy’s heart was big enough for such a task. She’d already begun it, but her body couldn’t keep up.
Vi, Kate, Karly, Becky, Mr and Mrs Fairfield. I send my condolences, my respects, and my love. Know my heart also aches over the hole her absence has left.
I am so sorry for your loss xo may she rest in peace xo
Kathryn was a lovely individual who was a pioneering “spirit”, setting the stage for high end women’s clothing. She had a vision and stuck to her principals: strong in her will. When I became conscious of the clothes I was wearing, I was always welcomed with pleasure and waited on hand and foot…such wonderful staff service over the years. In years to come, with new location on Cross St. daughter Kate and Emily were going to run the show with Mama. She shared same vision as Mom, for success.
An angel, gone too young, blessings to family. Will light spirit candle in her honour!
My heart still hurts over this. A beautiful soul gone too early. You were a great human Kath. Loved to visit every time I came to Ontario. I am sure your daughters will carry on this legacy. You will be dearly missed. Much Love !!! Ward
I met Kathryn 15 years ago as I was facing the end of a 28 year chapter of my career. I left her shop dressed in the most beautiful teal suit that looked amazing on me and I went on from there to understand that life did hold so many more possibilities. I found myself a new successful career, all the while wearing her wonderful creations! I will miss her. Xo
My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Kathryn Fairfield. Kathryn was a unique and beautiful individual. I had the pleasure of getting to know her through the Carnegie Gallery, Arts Dundas, the Dundas Studio Guide, the Dundas Studio Tour, and the Cactus Festival. I still have one of the gorgeous straw hats she sold, and always think of her when I wear it during the summer.
Sincerely,
Allyson Wenzowski
Zee, as I knew her when I shopped at Modella in Dundas, was one of the exceptional women in my life. Her empathy for her customers was what made her so successful.
I brought my sister to the store to cheer her up after a tragedy and Zee cried with us.
Every Christmas two good women friends from London always came to shop with me at Modella. We laughed so hard when one friend modelled clothes as she tried them on and Zee got into the spirit and laughed until we all were in tears.
She was a truly exceptional human being. Such a loss. My heart goes out to all her family friends who were fortunate enough to be touched by her loving kindness.
I was so sorry to hear of Kath’s passing. I met Kath by happenstance when wandering Dundas one February afternoon with my cousin. We stopped in to Terraware and I couldn’t help choosing a gorgeous long pullover that Kath and Em tailored slightly so I could wear it as a dress with tights and a funky pair of Fluevogs. Kath was always so warm and welcoming … I admired her fierce spirit, creativity and commitment to equity in the fashion industry. I will treasure my Terraware outfits and remember Kath each time I wear them. Heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
So very sorry for your loss, Vi. And very sad to hear of Kathy’s passing.
I am so sadden by the news of Kath…..I loved her spirit…loving ..caring…generosity…genuine..she made everyone feel like we were her own family. She made my wedding dress…got Married on the 28 of Dec…all this covid hit….had not gotten down to see her…my thoughts go out to all of her family and friends….and her dogs….Kath ..I will miss your smiling face..?❤
I have known Kathy since the mid 70’s when she lived around the corner from my sister on Skyline Drive. Kathy, Sherry and I would just hang out, spend time around the pool and do all the things teenagers would do. As time passed and we got older, we drifted apart as I moved to BC. Then one day a few years ago my sister took me to her beautiful shop and we had an opportunity to catch up, and low and behold to find out she was living just around the corner from my sister again in Dundas. She will be sadly missed by all. My heartfelt condolences to her family.
A very wonderful soul and she helped me choose 2 outfits at her store for my cruise in December 2018. God Bless You and RIP.
I just heard of the passing of Kathryn. This is such a loss for everyone that knew her. She was a shining star. I had the upmost respect for this beautiful lady. My condolences to Kate, Karly and family. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Kathy’s death. I knew her only through TerraWare but always enjoyed visits in the store with her. It didn’t matter if it had been 3 days or 3 years since my last visit, she was always incredibly friendly and welcoming and generous with her time and creative talent. She had a lovely way of treating you as family, and although I was only an acquaintance, I always felt like we were old friends when I walked though the door of her shop. She was truly a warm, generous, witty, creative and engaging woman. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
So sorry hear of Kathy’s passing! She was very good friend of sister (Pamela) Deceased 1988.
I wish would have visited her clothing stores for chat! Such wonderful human being!
I just heard that my dear friend Kathy died in December 2020.
I got to know her at Terraware, and we had so much fun together.
I will miss her so much, and I do hope that she is now at peace.
My sincere sympathy to her family.
I only just heard of Kathy’s passing recently. I knew Kathy when we we growing up during our late teens and early twenties. We were close and we had a great friendship. I remember attending her first wedding. Time and distance kept us from seeing one another but I was glad I dropped in to her store a few years ago and we had a memorable reunion talking about days past. My condolences to Kathy’s immediate and extended families. Matthew Hall